The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Naturalization Ceremony Voter Registration. Wednesday, June 17th, from 10:10 am to noon. Volunteers are needed to help register newly naturalized citizens on Join the other volunteers at Golden Hall, Corner of 3rd and B Street. Parking at Horton Plaza. RSVP to Greg Bolan at sdvoter@gmail.com. Note: The San Diego Voter Registration team uses Google Groups to send out volunteer emails. To receive these emails click HERE, and then click on "Join This Group."

Black Mountain Democratic Club Meeting. Thursday, June 18th, 7 PM, Social 6:30 PM. Guest Speaker--Francine Busby, candidate for the 50th Congressional District. Francine will speak about her decision to run for Congress, and what needs to be done to meet the pressing issues of our day. Meeting held at Rec Hall #1, 10550 Caminito Flores, San Diego 92126 (in Mira Mesa). Call Jerry at 858-689-9185 for more information. www.blackmountaindemocrats.org

Progressive Democrats of America (North San Diego County) meeting. Sunday June 21st, 1 PM. Doug Hunter, a computer design expert who is deeply concerned with protecting the "People's Voice" from corporate control, will speak on "The Reason Why We Must Have Internet Neutrality." There will also be a debate about a resolution to call a California constitutional convention to overhaul the state's dysfunctional budgetary process. At the Vista Public Library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave. Info: (760)-842-8534.

Democratic Club of Carlsbad-Oceanside Regular Meeting. Saturday, June 27th, 10 a.m.-noon. Demcco members Zoltan Lucas, MD and William Parks, MD will present the topic of the proposed National Health Care System. Dr Lucas is a retired Physician and Professor of Surgery at Stanford Medical School, and served as a member of the World Health Organization; Dr. Parks, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, had a family practice in Oceanside for many years. Both are members of Physicians for a National Health Program, an organization of 16,000 physicians and health professionals who support a single-payer system. Refreshments.At the Carlsbad Woman's Club, 3320 Monroe St., Carlsbad (4 blocks east of Freeway off Carlsbad Village Dr in the Carlsbad High School area. Info: Robin Friedheim at 760-804-2754 or Rfriedheim@roadrunner.com.

San Diego Democratic Women's Club Picnic for Members and Friends , June 27th, 1 - 4 PM. Please contribute a dish or $5.00 suggested contribution to help defray costs. At the home of Pat Washington and Maggie Allington, 4537 Alamo Drive, San Diego 92115. Info: SDDEMWomen@aol.com or Pat Washington (619) 582-5383.

San Diego Democracy For America Meetup (SD DFA) meeting. Wednesday, July 1st, social at 6:00, meeting at 7:00 pm. Congressman Bob Filner will be speak about the Economy, the stimulus package, healthcare, Iraq War, Afganistan War, and controversies of the day. At Giovanni's Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, SD 92123 (Corner of Clairemont Mesa Blvd and Ruffin Rd. across from Registrar of Voters). Info: Carol (858) 459-7044. or cchangus@san.rr.com.

Naturalization Ceremony Voter Registration. Wednesday, July 22nd, from 10:10 am to noon. Volunteers are needed to help register newly naturalized citizens on Join the other volunteers at Golden Hall, Corner of 3rd and B Street. Parking at Horton Plaza. RSVP to Greg Bolan at sdvoter@gmail.com. Note: The San Diego Voter Registration team uses Google Groups to send out volunteer emails. To receive these emails click HERE, and then click on "Join This Group."

Naturalization Ceremony Voter Registration. Wednesday, August 19th, from 10:10 am to noon. Volunteers are needed to help register newly naturalized citizens on Join the other volunteers at Golden Hall, Corner of 3rd and B Street. Parking at Horton Plaza. RSVP to Greg Bolan at sdvoter@gmail.com. Note: The San Diego Voter Registration team uses Google Groups to send out volunteer emails. To receive these emails click HERE, and then click on "Join This Group."

Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market is a member-owned vegetarian consumer co-op that has been serving the community since 1971. Originally a worker's collective, the cooperative has grown to include 6000 feet of retail space and more than 8000 member/owners. The Co-op offers an extensive selection of organic produce, grocery, dairy, and bulk foods and herbs, as well as vitamins and homeopathics, cruelty-free bodycare, and aromatherapy products. Enjoy a full service sit-down deli featuring a delicious selection of home-style vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, sandwiches, freshly prepared baked goods, desserts, and more! At People's, San Diego's only community owned grocery store, we specialize in products that are organic, wholesome, minimally processed, cruelty-free, and environmentally safe.

I used to shop at this one way, way back when I went to UCSD. It was great then!

Since its introduction to the campus in 1978, the Food Co-op has committed itself to providing the UCSD community with a natural food alternative, as well as a resource for environmentally conscious products and information.

The Food Co-op carries a variety of food and non-food products ranging from baked goods, juices, sandwiches, fresh organic produce, macro-biotic and ethnic foods to cruelty-free cosmetics and environmentally safe cleaning agents. Many foods are stocked in bulk to reduce the price to the customer and the waste of packaging (please bring bags when buying!). Special orders can be made at discount prices (good for items not necessarily carried in the store, as well!).

Come in to shop, get informed, and/or volunteer as a general member of our store. For more information, call (858) 546-8339.

I will also point out some other UCSD co-ops that I liked when I was a student there.

The Ché Café

The Ché Café Collective is dedicated to providing cheap, healthy vegetarian food, all-ages entertainment, and alternative education. We have All-We-Can-Eat dinners every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Entertainment at the Ché ranges from poetry readings and plays to forums, or shows of local bands.

The Ché Café is surrounded by a grove of old eucalyptus trees and is next to the beautiful garden of the Farm Co-op. Tables and chairs inside and outside of the Ché and its close proximity to the Farm Co-op make it an inviting place to eat, study, or just hang out.

The Ché Café is open to having people come by and help out. The Café provides a great opportunity for people to get involved in the process of cooking, running a restaurant and/or putting on events at any level they feel comfortable at. Stop by or call us at (858) 534-2311.

(The Ché Café is located on the Revelle campus behind the Undergraduate library and down the hill from Stonehenge. We're the building with all the murals on it.) Read more about the Che Cafe Collective at its very own website: http://checafe.ucsd.edu/.

General Store

The General Store Co-op is a student-run store which was founded in 1980 to offer students a less expensive alternative to the high Price Center. [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is not quite right...the Price Center didn't even exist when the General Store was founded and greatly appreciated by students like myself.] As a student cooperative, we try to provide the University community with the best quality merchandise at the lowest prices. And we succeed! The General Store Co-op carries items such as selected essential school and office supplies, household and personal items, stationery and gift wrap, clothing (including UCSD logos), craft-center jewelry, and some food and snack items -- all of which range from 5-25% less than anywhere else on campus.

Students are generally most interested in the fact that we sell textbooks, which are guaranteed to cost less than at the UCSD bookstore. We also try to carry as many used texts as possible. Also, we buy back current editions year round. Stop by to check which classes' books we're carrying.

We encourage everyone to visit the General Store Co-op for our low prices and friendly service. Additionally, anyone is invited to come in and volunteer anytime as volunteers are the backbone of our organization. For further information or friendly help please feel free to call us at (858) 534-3932.